With the market being flooded with thousands of different LCD monitors of various brands, sizes and capabilities, manufacturers have to be on their toes to keep their new products above and beyond what their competition is current producing. Some drop the response time for gamers, some make their monitors more aesthetically attractive, but some go above and beyond what you would expect as "product line refresh".

Take this monitor being reviewed today for example. Not only is it a LCD monitor much like the rest, but it also has an integrated iPod dock, USB hub and memory card reader all in one stylish package. And lets not forget the integrated stereo speakers with subwoofer which enable you to listen to your iPod music without the need for any external speakers. this makes for quite a complete product. But will is be a complete package or a "jack of all trades; master of none" product. This review will point out the good and the bad as noted through 3 weeks of testing and everyday use.

The Viewsonic VX2245WM being reviewed today is the first of many products from Viewsonic that we will be reviewing now and in the near future. Viewsonic has a well established brand name in the LCD monitor industry which is recognized by enthusiast and the average everyday computer consumer. Let's see what has established them as a quality product in a crowded flat panel industry.

VIEWSONIC CORPORATE PROFILE

ViewSonic is a worldwide leader in visual display products for today's business, consumer electronics, education and professional markets. The company offers a complete line of innovative LCD and CRT desktop displays, digital televisions, projectors and visual devices that are all designed to make the customer's visual experience easier and more enjoyable. ViewSonic remains a leading monitor brand in the United States and has won more than 2,000 awards from independent global publications and organizations. The company's annual sales have risen from $4 million in 1987 to more than $1 billion in 2005.

What can TFT LCD Technology do for me?

Below is just a small list of what TFT LCD technology can do for your small business or home environment.

1.) Radiation - TFT LCD technology virtually eliminates radiation which is emitted from normal CRT monitor and can promote a healthier computing environment for your children at home and/or your work environment.

2.) Low Power Consumption - LCD monitors have a power consumption of about half of the equivalent CRT monitors.

3.) Color - Colors on LCD's are much more vibrant that CRT monitors.

4.) Physical Size - One of the main advantages is the size difference. LCD monitors cover about 30% of the desk area than a standard CRT.

5.) Viewable Area - Now here is the kicker, if you buy a 17" CRT monitor, it's safe to say that you will have an actual viewing area of about ~16". Now, when a TFT LCD is said to be 17", the viewable area IS 17", which is a far more honest approach to marketing.